NCAA’s stipend plan for athletes challenged by schools

The NCAA’s plan to give athletes a $2,000 stipend might be in trouble.

The legislation, passed in October, now faces an override challenge at the annual NCAA convention in January, a decision that could create an unusual discrepancy between recruits who have signed national letters of intent and those who have not.

David Berst, the Division I vice president of governance, acknowledged Wednesday that about 1,000 players signed with schools in November, and those who did it with the promise of getting an additional $2,000 toward the “full cost of attendance” would still get their extra money. Those who did not, may not.

“I would hope we don’t end up with that, but it could happen,” Berst told the Associated Press.

Berst said 97 schools have signed on to the override measure, more than the 75 needed for the NCAA board to reconsider the stipend. If that number hits 125 by Dec. 26, the legislation would be suspended.

Either way, the Division I Board of Directors has three options: rescind the stipend and operate under previous NCAA rules; modify the rule or create a new proposal that would go back to the schools for another 60-day comment period; or allow members to vote on the override. It would a take 5/8ths majority of the roughly 350 Division I members to pass.

If the legislation is changed or rescinded, athletes who signed with the expectation of receiving additional money might bring legal action if they did not get it.

That puts the NCAA in the position of perhaps having to impose two competing rules this year.

“We would honor the agreements that have taken place,” Berst said. “So even if you were to rescind the rule as of Dec. 26 and not operate under that rule in the future, we would honor those agreements. I think that causes the board to redouble its efforts at the January meeting.”

NCAA President Mark Emmert has insisted over the last several months that the additional money is not pay-for-play and compares it to stipends non-athletes receive beyond the cost of tuition, room and board, books and fees. Until 1972, college athletes were permitted to receive a small monthly payment as laundry money.

Some critics contend $2,000 is not nearly enough and cite studies showing the average athlete pays roughly $3,000 to $4,000 out of his or her own pocket in college costs.

Arizona State Athletic Director Lisa Love announced Wednesday that Todd Graham will replace Dennis Erickson as the Sun Devils’ football coach. Erickson was fired after a 6-6 season in which the Sun Devils lost their final four games.

Graham spent one season in Pittsburgh, leading the Panthers to a 6-6 mark and a tie for second place in the Big East Conference.

It has been a tumultuous season for the Panthers, who announced in September that they are leaving the Big East for the Atlantic Coast Conference by 2014 and now are looking for their fourth coach in the last 13 months.

Graham is 49-29 in a six-year head-coaching career that includes stops at Tulsa and Rice.

At Pittsburgh, Graham replaced Mike Haywood, who was set to take over for Dave Wannstedt after Wannstedt stepped down at the end of the 2010 regular season. Haywood was fired less than three weeks after he was hired after being charged with felony domestic battery.

There was no immediate word on who would coach the Panthers in the BBVA Compass Bowl against Southern Methodist.

Fresno State hired Texas A&M interim coach Tim DeRuyter to replace Pat Hill, who was fired this month, as its coach.

DeRuyter is to begin his new job after coaching the Aggies in the Meineke Car Care Bowl against Northwestern on Dec. 31.

DeRuyter had spent the last two seasons as defensive coordinator at Texas A&M before getting the interim job when Mike Sherman was fired this month.

South Carolina said it does not dispute three major NCAA violations involving its football program and will eliminate six scholarships over the next three years. The university also said it would reduce official recruiting visits in football and track and field.

The NCAA said 10 South Carolina football players and two members of its women’s track team received $47,000 in improper benefits for staying at a Columbia hotel for a reduced rate that was about a quarter of what should’ve been charged.

The NCAA also said South Carolina athletes or prospects received $8,000 in benefits from two executives from a mentoring foundation. The NCAA will consider South Carolina’s self-imposed penalties at a hearing on the violations in February.

ETC.

No criminal charges in Cincinnati-Xavier brawl

Hamilton County (Ohio) Prosecutor Joe Deters said he will not file criminal charges in connection with an on-court brawl involving Cincinnati and Xavier basketball players Saturday. He said he made the decision after an investigation that included review of video and interviews with the teams’ coaches, some players and witnesses.

Officials and players from both schools have apologized, and both teams suspended four players each. Xavier won the game, 76-53. It was stopped by referees with 9.4 seconds left.

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A Maine man who accused former Syracuse assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine of molesting him was arrested after allegations that he violated bail conditions.

Zach Tomaselli is himself facing molestation charges. Lewiston police arrested the 23-year-old Tuesday after he was accused of giving a ride to someone under 18. Police Sgt. David St. Pierre said the arrest was made a day after police received a tip. Tomaselli, who lives with his grandmother in Lewiston, is being held without bail.

Tomaselli has accused Fine of molesting him in 2002 in a hotel room Pittsburgh and has filed a civil lawsuit. Fine denies the allegations. Tomaselli has admitted that he sexually abused a young teenager. He faces 11 charges including gross sexual assault and has said he is working on a plea deal.

The Amateur Athletic Union said two task forces established to independently review child-safety protocols, policies and procedures will make their recommendations by February.

The AAU announced the measures at its headquarters near Orlando, Fla. as a child sex abuse investigation dating 30 years and centered on former president Robert “Bobby” Dodd progresses in Tennessee.

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The St. Louis Cardinals finalized a two-year, $14-million free-agent deal with shortstop Rafael Furcal, a trade-deadline pickup who helped them in their run to the World Series title.

He gets salaries of $6 million next year and $7 million in 2013, along with a $1-million signing bonus.

Furcal batted .255 with St. Louis, solidifying the defense along with the leadoff slot. He turned 36 double plays, most among National League shortstops, in the final two months.

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The Boston Red Sox acquired reliever Mark Melancon and utility infielder Nick Punto in separate deals.

The Red Sox obtained Melancon from Houston for infielder Jed Lowrie and right-hander Kyle Weiland. Hours later, the team announced it had signed Punto, who played for St. Louis last season, to a two-year, $3-million contract.

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The Oakland Athletics agreed to a $3.35-million, one-year contract with left-hander Dallas Braden.

Braden made three starts last season before he was sidelined because of a shoulder injury. He was 1-1 with a 3.00 earned-run average. Braden had surgery for a torn capsule in his left shoulder May 17.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks reached agreement on a one-year, $1.75-million contract with 41-year-old right-hander Takashi Saito. He was 4-2 with a 2.03 ERA in 30 relief appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers last season.

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Borussia Dortmund forward Terrence Boyd and UCLA midfielder Kelyn Rowe were added to the U.S. under-23 roster for a training camp ahead of men’s Olympic soccer qualifying. Thirty players will gather for the camp with new Coach Caleb Porter. It will be held from Thursday through Dec. 23 at Lakewood Ranch, Fla.

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Tom Lehman was voted the Champions Tour player of the year after a season in which he won three events and the Charles Schwab Cup. Lehman also won the money title and is the only Champions Tour player to surpass $2 million.

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Golf journalist Dan Jenkins was selected for induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Jenkins has been writing about golf for 60 years and covered his first major at the 1951 U.S. Open, won by Ben Hogan at Oakland Hills. Jenkins has written from 210 major championships. He has worked at the Fort Worth Press, Sports Illustrated and most recently Golf Digest.

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Kentucky Derby winner Strike the Gold was euthanized after injuring his left front leg while in his paddock at a stud farm in Turkey. The Turkish Jockey Club confirmed the death to the Daily Racing Form and Bloodhorse websites.

The 1991 Derby winner, trained by Nick Zito, had battled laminitis lately but was in good health before injuring his pastern, a part of the leg between the fetlock and the top of the hoof. Strike the Gold was 23. As a 3-year-old, Strike the Gold won the Blue Grass, then rallied from far back to win the Derby by 13/4 lengths over Best Pal. The chestnut son of Alydar was retired in 1993 after winning six of 31 starts and earning $3.45 million.